Paranoia Attack?
Discussion
My other half (been together 9 months) had, what she called, paranoid moments in her previous relationship. She would have periods of a few hours where she would get so worried her then boyfriend was going to harm her, she'd almost pass out. This happened a few times a year and first occurred after some (one assumes) iffy weed where she ended up unable to move on her sofa for an hour in a paranoid/paralyzed! state while she wondered how long it would be before he did her in!
Now, while he was a bit of a dick her paranoia was way over the top (he had some nasty moments when drunk, but these attacks would happen when he was sober and there was no "real" danger)
Jump forward.......she has now had two with me! First time we were in a hotel for one of many nights away (so not a "new" thing) and she seemed really under the weather and just wanted to spend the night in bed - so we cancelled our dinner plans and watched TV till very late. She seemed "groggy" but I thought nothing of it.
The next morning she explained that she'd been fighting a non-stop battle in her head to tell herself I wasn't about to kill her!!! In fact, at one point I picked up some random item off the floor and she said she had almost passed out with fear I was going to stab her. All the while I just assumed she was feeling rough.
This then happened again yesterday. Once again, she was quiet...nothing obvious. This morning she said she'd had the same battle in her head! I asked why she didnt leave the house when she felt scared to get air/reality check/whatever.....she said she was a)worried she'd faint - she almost looses control during these events (although only once did she have the full paralyzed night episode on the sofa with the ex) and b) her paranioa extends to being scared I'd be "on to her" if she suggested leaving and try to stop her/harm her. Instead, she keeps quiet and battles it in her head.
So...what the holly heck is that all about? Does she need a Dr, a shrink or self defense lessons!
Now, while he was a bit of a dick her paranoia was way over the top (he had some nasty moments when drunk, but these attacks would happen when he was sober and there was no "real" danger)
Jump forward.......she has now had two with me! First time we were in a hotel for one of many nights away (so not a "new" thing) and she seemed really under the weather and just wanted to spend the night in bed - so we cancelled our dinner plans and watched TV till very late. She seemed "groggy" but I thought nothing of it.
The next morning she explained that she'd been fighting a non-stop battle in her head to tell herself I wasn't about to kill her!!! In fact, at one point I picked up some random item off the floor and she said she had almost passed out with fear I was going to stab her. All the while I just assumed she was feeling rough.
This then happened again yesterday. Once again, she was quiet...nothing obvious. This morning she said she'd had the same battle in her head! I asked why she didnt leave the house when she felt scared to get air/reality check/whatever.....she said she was a)worried she'd faint - she almost looses control during these events (although only once did she have the full paralyzed night episode on the sofa with the ex) and b) her paranioa extends to being scared I'd be "on to her" if she suggested leaving and try to stop her/harm her. Instead, she keeps quiet and battles it in her head.
So...what the holly heck is that all about? Does she need a Dr, a shrink or self defense lessons!
It sounds like anxiety/panic attack. Fight or flight syndrome coming in to play. Get help from doctor and a cognitive therapist will probably help. Also avoiding alcohol, nicotine and caffeine can help. When she gets into a situation like that, controlling the breathing is the most important thing.
Offthegrid said:
hman said:
I think you know the answer.
Doctors, Pyschiatric care, Counselling, - probably in that order.
it just seems a bit "full on" for something thats only happened twice in 9 months!Doctors, Pyschiatric care, Counselling, - probably in that order.
That will equal a sustained pattern of pyschotic episodes - which will require some sort of therapy if you want to see an improvement.
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Psychosis/Pages/Sympt...
If you love her get her some help, if you don't love her then why are you with her?
Only just seen this so ignore if the situation has resolved.
From the history, most likely explanation is a neurotic, rather than psychotic, presentation. a bit personal but is she still smoking? - groggy, paranoid etc.
Tiny chance that there may be something neuro going on - altered level of consciousness, mental and behavioural changes following - but not very likely.
Delusional? - maybe, but how fixed is this false belief? If it is fixed then, in the absence of other psychotic features, consider mono-delusional disorder or a not otherwise specified disorder of over-valued ideas.
Given her social history, i'd be initially thinking about anxiety/panic. Memory works by association and it may be that (perfectly normal) aspects of others' behaviours are provoking an exaggerated startle response.
Better sorted out sooner rather than later - this may be beyond the GP's remit (clue is in the job title really, "general" practitioner), a one off specialist review shouldn't be too odious and definitely not overkill.
paul
From the history, most likely explanation is a neurotic, rather than psychotic, presentation. a bit personal but is she still smoking? - groggy, paranoid etc.
Tiny chance that there may be something neuro going on - altered level of consciousness, mental and behavioural changes following - but not very likely.
Delusional? - maybe, but how fixed is this false belief? If it is fixed then, in the absence of other psychotic features, consider mono-delusional disorder or a not otherwise specified disorder of over-valued ideas.
Given her social history, i'd be initially thinking about anxiety/panic. Memory works by association and it may be that (perfectly normal) aspects of others' behaviours are provoking an exaggerated startle response.
Better sorted out sooner rather than later - this may be beyond the GP's remit (clue is in the job title really, "general" practitioner), a one off specialist review shouldn't be too odious and definitely not overkill.
paul
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